Automatic blade-straightening machine.



C. H. ROTH.

AUTOMATIC BLADE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

APPLICATION mu) AUG.I5. mu.

1,291,658. Patented Jan. 14, 1919.

4 SHEET5-SHEET l.

INVENTOR [IQ/2L .H. BOTH,

ATTO RN EYS b.

C. H. RUTH.

AUTOMAHC BLADE STRAIGHIENING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 15. 10111.

1,291,658. Patented Jan. 14, 1919.

4 SHEETS- SHEEI 2.

INVENTOR 641% 17. R 0 TH,

ATTORNEYS C. H. ROTH.

AUTOMATIC BLADE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.I5. 1918.

1,291,658. Patented Jun. 14, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- I W INVENTOR GIRL K1207, 27 36 WQJW 24 ATTORNEYS,

C. H ROTH.

AUTOMATIC BLADE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 15. I918.

Patented Jan. 14, 1919.

442IEETSSHEEI 4.

INVENTOR 6km. H. R01,

BY W130,

CARL H. ROTH, 0F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC BLADE-STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 14, 1919.

Application filed August 15, 1918. Serial No. 249,929.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL H. ROTH, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Blade-Straightening Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The present invention has reference, generally, to improvements in machines used in the manufacture of cutlery; and, the invention relates, more particularly, to a novel automatic machine for straightening knifeblades of various kinds, and the same is peculiarly adapted for removing distortions in knife-bladesused in pocket-knives, where by all warpin gs, bends, and the like, remaining therein after the same are stamped from the stock are removed or straightened out preparatory to grinding and polishing the same and then assembling the same in the handles therefor.

The invention has for its principal object to provide a machine for receiving and automatically feeding through a pro-heating means, and thence to an automatic hammer mechanism, the blades in successive and continuous movement. A further object of the invention is to provide the feeding means with automatic clamp means for engaging the blades, said clamp means being automatically opened and closed at proper times, first to receive the knife-blade and then to release the same subject to operation of the hammer means.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic insert device for carrying the knife-blades to and inserting the same into operative relation to the said clamp means.

Other objects of the present invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the same.

With the various objects of the present invention in view, the same consists, primarily,

in the novel construction of knife-blade and, the invention consists, furthermore, in the several novel arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the same, all of which will be hereinafter more fully described, and then finally embodied in the claims appended hereto.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the novel machine made according to and embodying the principles of my present invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same; Fig.3 is an elevation of one end, of the same; and Fig. 4 is a detail vertical longitudinal section, drawn on an enlarged scale, and taken on line 44 in said Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fiat horizontal projection or semi-diagrammatic view of the cam means for operating the clamp devices of the feeding-means.

Fig. 6 is a detail longitudinal section of a portion of the transmission mechanism of the feeding means of the machine, drawn on an enlarged scale, and taken on line 6-6 in said Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a detail longitudinal vertical section of a portion of the blade inserting mechanism, drawn on an enlarged scale.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the hereinabovc described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the said drawings the reference character 1 indicates a supporting frame-work upon which the novel mechanism is mounted.

The mechanism may be divided roughly into four .groups, first, the reciprocatory hammer and cooperating anvil, with the means for reciprocating the former; second, the preheating means; third, the feeding or conveying means, with the transmission mechanism therefor; and fourth, the blade inserting mechanism which cooperates with the feeding or conveying means.

The reference character 2 indicates a suitable anvil block which is transversely supported by the frame-work 1 at the back of the machine. Suitably connected with said anvil block 2.is an anvil-face 3, preferably adapted to be detachable, and presenting a face or front surface adapted to conform to the contour of the blade to be treated. Arranged in connection with said supporting frame-work 1, forward of said anvil the operation of the hammer means.

block 2, are guideways 4, in which is slidably supported a reciprocatory hammer memher 5, provided at its free end with a hammer headr6, preferably adapted to be detachable, and presenting a face adapted to conform to the contour of the blade to be treated. V V 7 Connected with said frame-work 1, at the front portion thereof, are healing devices 7, in which is mounted a transversely extending crankshaft 8, provided with a crankportion 9. A suitable connecting-rod 1O operatively interconnects said crank-portion 9 with said reciprocatory hammer-member'5.

'Mounted upon the forward end of said frame-work 1,so as to extend upwardly therefronn is a bearing-bracket 11, havingbearing portions 12, in which is journaled a driving shaft 13. Fixed .on said driving shaft is a step or variable speed belt-pulley 14, over which a driving belt, operated from a suitable source of power, may be run, to drive the shaft at a desired speed. Fixed on said drivingshaft 13 is a spur-gear 15, which meshes operatively with a gear wheel 15 fixed on said crankshaft 8, whereby power is transmitted to the latter to cause A flywheel 16 may also be'fixed upon said driving shaft 13, as shown. 7

Located at the rear of said frame-work 1, so'as to rise upwardly therefrom is a'bearin member 17 in which is journaled one enc of a spindle 18. Fixed on said spindle 18 is a rotary conveyer plate 19 provided at its periphery with a plurality of clamp devices subsequently to be described. gupported by suitable bracket devices 20, which radiate from said bearing member 17, is a retaining shield 21, the same being of curved extending upwardly from one slde of said frame-work 1, 1s a shaft 28 upon which is conformation, to conform to the periphery of said conveyor plate 19, and open at its front and inner s1des; the same being spaced away from the periphery of said conveyer plate 19, so as to provide a heat retain-ing chamber 22 around the periphery of said conveyer plate 19. Arranged within the outer .open side of said retaining shield 21 is a burner-member 23, with which are connected, at several points, gas supply pipes 24. The mner wall of said burner-member 23 1s provlded with burner openings 25, at

which'points the gas is ignited so that the flames issue into said heat retaining chamber 22.

The means for rotating said conveyen plate 19 comprises an extension of said crankshaft 8 upon which is secured a worm gear 26. Journaled in bearing brackets 21,

looselr mounted a worm wheel .29 which meshes operatively with said worm gear 26.

"Securedto one of said bearing brackets 27 is an upwardly extending bear-ing arm 30 in which the opposite end of said spindle 18 is journaled. Fixed on said shaft 28 is a gear 31 which meshes with an idler gear 32, rotatably mounted on a stud 33 carried by said bearing arm 30, and fixed on said spindle 18 is a gear 34 which meshes with said idler gear, so that the rotation of said shaft 28 is transmitted through said gears to said spindle 18 to drive said rotary conveyer plate 19. The hub 29 of said worm wheel 29 is provided with a socket-'35 in which is arranged a split bushing 36 which surrounds said shaft 28. A set-screw 37 passes through said hub 29, and by tightening down said set-screw against the split bushing 36, the latter is caused to clamp said shaft 28,thereby tightening said worm-v wheel 29 in driving relation thereto, so as to transmlt power to sa1d conveyer plate 19. If it is desired to operate the hammer mech anism without rotating the conveyer plate of the said conveyer plate 19,.and provided 7 with a perforate ear 39 carrying a fulcrum pin 40 upon which is pivoted a clamp-jaw 41. Connected with each block 38 adjacent to the tail 42 of said clamp jaw 41, is a post 43 having a lateral hook portion 44 upon which is anchored one end of a pull spring 45, the opposite end of said spring being connected with the tail 42 of said clamp jaw. The pull or tension of said spring normally rocks said clamp-j aw toward the periphery of said conveyer plate 19, so as to securely grip and hold a knife blade 46 interposed between the periphery of said conveyer plate and'said clamp-j aw. Arranged beneath each clamp-jaw is a push or lift-pin 47 having a head 48 engaging the underside of the clamp-jaw; the stem of said push or lift-pin 47 extends laterally and slidably through the conveyer plate 19, so that its free end projects outwardly from the forward side thereof. Fixed upon a suitable bridgepicce- 49, supportedby said frame-work 1, is a stationary cam-member. 50 provided with a cam-projection 51-. Said cam projection is curved to conform to the path'of travel of the outwardly pro ecting ends of said.

cam-projection, so'that at proper times the pins will be pushed rearwardly'against the clamp-jaws to open the latter for the purpose of releasing the knifelade carried thereby, and for the purpose of receiving a newly inserted knife-blade.

The means for automatically inserting the knife-blades between the clamp-jaws and the conveyer-plate, comprises the followlng mechanism Supported by a suitable bracket 52 connected with the frame-work 1 is a base-plate 53, the same being disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of said conveyer plate 19. Also supported by a suitable bracket 54 connected with the frame-work 1 is a bearingplate 55. Journaled in and between said base-plate 53 and bearing-plate 55 1s a shaft 56 provided at one end with a bevel-gear 57. Connected with the adjacent end of said crank-shaft 8 is a reduced extension 58, upon the end of which is secured a bevel-gear 59 which meshes operatively with said bevelgear 57. Secured upon the outer face of said base-plate 53 are a pair of supporting blocks 60. Fixed in said supporting blocks 60, so as to extend between the same is a guide-rod 61, upon which is slidably mounted a slide-block 62. Pivoted upon a stud 63, projecting from the outer face of said base-plate 53, is an upwardly extending lever-arm 64, from the hub of which also projects upwardly a short lever-arm 66. Fixed on the end of said shaft 56 is a crankmember 67 which is operatively interconnected with said short lever arm 66 by means of a connecting-rod 68. Intcrconnecting the upper end of said lever-arm 64 with said slide-block 62 is a resilient or yieldable connecting-link 69 preferably made of coiled spring. This connecting link serves to operate or reciprocate said slide-block 62 back and forth on said guide-rod 61, but yields, if for any reason the'movement of said slideblock is obstructed. Secured upon the up per side of said slide-block 62 is a cradlemember 70 suitably supported to project beyond the end of the same. Said cradlemember is open at its outer end, and is preferably V-shaped in cross-section so that a knife-blade may be inserted therein to be carried forward thereby as the slide-block is moved toward the conveyer-plate 19.

The manner in which the machine operates is as follows The operator or machine tender is provided with a supply of knife-blades which are to be straightened. As the slide-block 62 is retracted he inserts a knife-blade in the cradle-member 70. The slide-block 62 is moved forward by its transmission mechanism, and carries the cradle-member with the knife-blade therein, toward and up to the periphery of the conveyer-plate 19. The knife-blade is inserted, by this movement, between the periphery of said conveyer-plate .19 and an open clamp-jaw 41,

the latter being maintained in open position by reason of the fact that at such time the push or lift-pin 47 is held by the cam-projection 51 in inwardly moved position, thereby pressing open the clamp-jaw against the tension of its closing spring 45. The operation of the slide-block 62 is so timed in relation to the rotary movement of the conveyer-plate 19, that a clamp-jaw is always properly presented at a point ready to receive the knife-blade by the time the slideblock completes its inward movement. The cam-projection 51 is so positioned that it ends at a point permitting the clamp-jaw to close and grip the inserted knife-blade, by reason of the fact that the push or liftpin controlling the same, and which travels with the conveyor-plate 19, is moved away, and rides or drops ofl the cam-projection immediately the knife-blade is inserted, thereby permitting the spring 45 to swing the clamp-jaw into gripping relation to inserted tip of the knife-blade, holding the latter firmly between the same and the eriphery of the conveyer-plate with the ma or portion of the body of the knife-blade projecting radially outward from the periphery of said conveyor-plate 19. The above described operations are successively carried on so. that as the conveyor-plate rotates,

' each clamp-jaw thereon is caused to engage and grip a knife-blade.

The rotation of the conveyer-plate 19 first carries the knife-blades upwardly and thence around through the interior of said heat retaining chamber 22, and there subjects the same to the pre-hcatin g action of the flames issuing from the burner-member 23. The heat of the flames thus acting upon the knife-blades, brings the same up to a red heat by the time they approach the hammer mechanism.

As the conveyer-plate rotates a knifeblade is carried thereby to a position in front of the anvil-face 3 of the anvil-block 2, so that the same lies vertically across the said anvil face, the rotation of the conveyorplate being so timed, that the knife-blade is moved into such position while the hammer-member 5 is being retracted and before it completes its hammer stroke, consequently as the hammer completes its operative stroke, it exerts a powerful blow upon the preheated knife-blade as supported against the anvil-face 3, thus straightening out the same, and removing therefrom all bends, distortions or the like. The cam-projection 51 is so positioned as to immediately engage the end of the push or lift-pin controlling the clamp-jaw engaging the knifeblade, thus presented against the anvil-face, when the hammer-member 5 contacts with the said knife-blade, and consequently, as the conveyer-plate continues its rotation, said push or lift-pin rides upon the cam-projection 51, and is moved inwardly to push open the clamp-jaw against the tension of the carried on by hand, and also with a greater uniformity and accuracy in the final result.

I am aware that some changes may be made in the various arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of said parts, without departing from the scope of my present invention as above described, and as defined in the appended claims. Hence, I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts as hereinabove set forth, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of said parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

I claim 1, In a machine of the kind described, a reciprocatory hammer means, an anvil device With which said hammer means cooperates, a rotary conveyer-plate, a plurality of pivoted clamp-jaws mounted on said conveyer-plate to cooperate with the marginal edge of the same, spring means for moving said clampjaws to closed position, lift-pins slidably extending through said conveyer-plate into engagement with said clamp-jaws, the free ends of said liftpins projecting outwardly from the opposite face of said conveyer-plate, a stationary cam-means fixed adjacent to said opposite face of said conveyer-plate so as to engage said lift-pins as the same are carried around by the rotation of said conveyer-plate to cause properly timed opening and closing movements of said clamp-jaws, and a preheating means associated with said conveyer-plate through which the work secured to the latter by said clamp-jaws is passed prior to presentation to said hammer means.

2. In a machine of the kind described, a reciprocatory hammer means, an anvil device with which said hammer means c0- operates, a rotary conveyer-plate, a plurality of pivoted clamp-jaws mounted on said conveyer-plate to cooperate with the marginal edge of the same, spring means for moving said clamp-jaws to closed position, lift-pins slidably extending through said conveyerplate into'engagement with said clamp-j aws,

the free ends of said lift-pins projecting outwardly from the opposite face of said conveyer-plate, a stationary cam-means fixed adjacent to said opposite face of said conveyor-plate so as to engage said lift-pins as the same are carried around by the rotation of said conveyer-plate to cause properly timed opening and closing movements of said clamp-jaws, a preheating means associated with said conveyer-plate through which the work secured to the latter by said clamp-jaws is passed prior to presentation to said hammer means, and'means operating in timed relation to the rotation of said conveyer-plate adapted to insert the work into operative relation to the clamp-jawsthereof,

comprising a suitably supported guide-rod,

a slide-block mounted to reciprocate on said guide-rod, means for causing a timed re ciprocation of said slide-block, and a work supporting cradle carried by said slideblock.

3. In a machineof the kind described, a frame-work provided with guideways, a hammer-member slidably mounted in said guideways, a stationary anvil device supported by said frame-work so as to cooperate with said hammer-member, a crankshaft, a connecting-rod interconnecting said hammer-member with said crank-shaft, tra smission means for rotating said cra k shaft, a rotary conveyer-plate adapted to convey the work between said anvil and said hammer-member, means for mounting said conveyer-plate, transmission means operated from said crank-shaft to produce a timed rotat on of said conveyer-plate relative to the reciprocatory movements of said hammer-member, a plurality of pivot d clampjaws mounted on said conveyer-plate to cooperate with the marginal edge of the same, spring means for i ovirgsa d clamp-jaws to closed position, lift-pins slidably extend ing through said conveyerualate into engagement with said clamp-jaws, the free ends of said lift-pins projecting outwardly from the opposite face of said conveyerplate, a stationary cam-means fix d adjacent to the opposite face of said conveyer-plate so as to engage said lift-pins as the same are carried around by the rotation of said conveyer-plate to cause properly timed opening and closing movements of said cla p-ja s, a preheating means associated with said conveyer-plate through which the work secured to the latter by said clamp-jaws is passed prior to presentation between said anvil device and said hammer-member, a base-plate mounted in connection with said frame-work in a plane parallel to the plane of said conveyor-plate, a guide-rod upported from said base-plate, a slide-block mounted to reciprocate on said guide-rod, a work supporting cradle carried by said slideblock and adapted to deliver the work between the open clamp-jaws and the periphery of said conveyer plate, a lever arm -pivoted to the face of said base-plate,

a yieldable connecting-link between said lever-arm and said slide-block, a crankmeans journaled in said base-plate, a connecting-rod between said lever-arm and said crank-means, and transmission means operated from said main crank-shaft for causcry of said conveyer-plate, means effecting a timed openin and closing of said work clamping devices, a heat retaining shield providing a heat retaining chamber surrounding a portion of said conveyer-plate, a burner device having means for supplying a combustible fuel thereto associated with said heat retaining shield, said burner device having burner openings adapted to emit flames into said heat retaining chamber, said conveyer-plate being adapted to convey the work through said heat retaining chamber prior to presentation of the same to said hammer means.

5. In a machine of the kind described, a reciprocatory hammer means, an anvil device with which said hammer means cooperates, a rotary conveyer-plate, work clamping devices associated with the marginal periphery of said conveyer-plate, means effecting a timed opening and closing of said work clamping devices, a heat retaining shield providing a heat retaining chamber surrounding a portion of said conveyer-plate, a burner device having means for supplying a combustible fuel thereto associated with said heat retaining shield, said burner device having burner openings adapted to emit flames into said heat retaining chamber, said conveyer-plate being adapted to convey the work through said heat retaining chamber prior to presentation of the same to said hammer means, a reciprocatory work supporting cradle with which said work clamping devices successively aline themselves as said conveyer-plate rotates whereby the work is fed to said clamping devices, and transmission means for reciprocating said cradle synchronously relative to the movement of said conveyer-plate.

6. In a machine of the kind described, a reciprocatory hammer means, an anvil device with which said hammer means cooperates, a rotary conveyer-plate, a plurality of pivoted clamp-jaws mounted on said conveyer-plate to cooperate with the marginal edge of the same, spring means for moving said clamp-jaws to closed position, lift-pins slidably extending through said conveyerplate into engagement with said clamp-jaws, the free ends of said lift-pins projecting outwardly from the opposite side of said conveyer-plate, a stationary cam means fixed adjacent to said opposite side of said conveyer plate so as to engage said lift-pins as the same are carried around by the rotation of said conveyer-plate to cause properly timed opening and closing movements of said clamp-jaws, a heat retaining shield providing a heat retaining chamber surrounding a portion of said conveyer-plate, and a burner device having means for supplying a c0mbustible fuel thereto associated with said heat retaining shield, said burner device having burner openings adapted to emit flames into said heat retaining chamber, said conveyerplate being adapted to convey the work through said heat retaining chamber prior to presentation of the same to said hammer means.

7. In a machine of the kind described, a frame-work provided with guideways, a hammer member slidably mounted in said guideways, a. stationary anvil device supported by said frame-work so as to cooperate with said hammer-member, a crank-shaft, a connecting-rod interconnecting said hammer-member with said crank-shaft, a rotary conveyer-plate adapted to convey the work between said anvil and said hammer-member, means for mounting said conveyer-plate, transmission means operated from said crank-shaft to produce a timed rotation of said conveyer-plate relative to the reciprocatory movements of said hammer-member, a plurality of pivoted clamp-jaws mounted on said conveyer-plate to cooperate with the marginal edge of the same, spring means for moving said clamp-jaws to closed position, lift-pins slidably extending through said conveyer-plate into engagement with said clamp-jaws, the free ends of said lift-pins projecting outwardly from the opposite face of said conveyer-plate, a stationary cam means fixed adjacent to the opposite face of said conveyer-plate so as to engage said liftpins as the same are carried around by the rotation of said conveyer-plate to cause properly timed opening and closing movements of said clamp-jaws, a heat retaining shield providing a heat retaining chamber surrounding a portion of said conveyer-plate, a burner device having means for supplying a combustible fuel thereto associated with said heat retaining shield, said burner device having burner openings adapted to emit flames into said heat retaining chamber, said conveyer-plate being adapted to convey the work through said heat retaining chamber prior to presentation of the same between said hammer-member and said anvil device, a base-plate mounted in connection with said frame-work in a plane parallel to the plane of said conveyer-plate,- a guide-rod supported mamas from said base-plate, a slide-block mounted to reciprocate on said guide-rod, a Work supporting cradle carried by said slide-block and adapted to deliver the Work between the open clamp-jaws and the periphery of said conveyor-plate, a lever-arm pivoted to the face of said base-plate, a yieldable connecting-link between said lever-arm and said slide-block, a crank-means journaled in said base-plate, a connecting-rod between said lever-arm and said crank-means, and trans- Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G. 

